World Travelers – A rundown on the Liberty’s International Squads

September 28, 2017

A majority of the New York Liberty stars will be heading overseas to begin international competition this fall and winter before returning to home for the 2018 WNBA season. The Libs are spread out across the globe and plan to compete in several of the most competitive international leagues and season-long tournaments. While no players are paired up this season like Kiah Stoke and Shavonte Zellous last year for Besiktas in Turkey, there figure to be plenty of opportunities for head-to-head competition between domestic and international games.

TURKEY – KBSL

BRIA HARTLEYMersin (EuroCup Group B)Season tips off Oct. 7 vs. Galatasaray
Bria Hartley will be in a familiar location as she returns to Mersin BSB in the Turkish League, where she previously played in 2015-16 before taking last season off when she gave birth to her son Bryson. In addition to looking for a top-8 spot in the Turkish League, Mersin is in Group B of the EuroCup tournament. She will be teamed up with center Krystal Thomas.

KIAH STOKESBotasSeason tips off Oct. 8 vs. Yakin Dogu
Kiah Stokes returns to Turkey for a 2nd straight season but is with a new team, as she suits up for Botas in the city of Adana. Last year, Stokes led the KBSL in rebounds (13.6 rpg) and blocks (1.7 bpg) to help Besiktas earn a playoff berth. She will be teamed with Chelsea Gray this season.

KIA VAUGHNFenerbahce (EuroLeague Group B)Season tips off Oct. 7 vs. OGM Orman
After playing the last several seasons for USK Praha in the Czech Republic, Kia Vaughn has signed up for traditional international power Fenerbahce, which is a regular threat to win the competitive Turkish League and EuroLeague titles. She is teamed up with Kelsey Plum and Jonquel Jones to make up a formidable trio of WNBA stars.

RUSSIA – PBL

LINDSAY ALLENDynamo Moscow (EEWBL)Season tips off Oct. 4 vs. Dynamo NR
For her 1st international season, rookie point guard Lindsay Allen is headed to Moscow, Russia to play for Dynamo Moscow. She will be teamed up with University of Texas center Kelsey Lang, and will also compete in the Eastern European Women’s Basketball League in addition to the PBL.

EPIPHANNY PRINCEDynamo Kursk (EuroLeague Group A)Season tips off Oct. 1 vs. Kazanochka
Epiphanny Prince returns to Dynamo Kursk where she helped her team win the 2017 EuroLeague Championship and also led them to the Russian League Finals, where they fell to UMMC in a decisive 5th game. The All-Star roster accompanying her includes Angel McCoughtry, Nneka Ogwumike, and Anna Cruz. They are in Group A of the EuroLeague along with USK Praha (Amanda Zahui B).

FRANCE – LFB

REBECCA ALLENLyonSeason tips off Sept. 30 vs. Tarbes
Rebecca Allen returns to Europe this year, but will compete for Lyon in northern France, after spending last winter in Slovakia. The French season does not conclude until April 14, and opens on Sept. 30 when she will face Tarbes.

NAYO RAINCOCK-EKUNWENantes (EuroCup Group J)Season tips off Sept. 29 vs. Nice
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe will once again play in France, this time suiting up for Nantes after previously playing for both Charleville-Mezieres and Flammes. In addition to the lengthy and competitive French League, Raincock-Ekunwe will play in Group J of the EuroCup.

CZECH REPUBLIC – ZBL

AMANDA ZAHUI BUSK Praha (EuroLeague Group B)Season began Sept. 23 vs. Valosun Brno
After a successful stint with Orenburg in the Russian PBL last season, Amanda Zahui has signed with USK Praha in Prague. She will also play in Group B of the EuroLeague where she had success last season, leading her team to the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by Praha and Liberty teammate Kia Vaughn, who has signed with Fenerbahce for this season. The Czech League has already tipped off and Zahui B has been dominant, averaging 23.5 ppg 7.5 rpg in a pair of victories.

CHINA – WCBA

TINA CHARLESXinjiang
Tina Charles will return to China for a 3rd straight season, where she has signed back up with Xinjiang, where she played during the 2015-16 WCBA season, helping lead them to the league championship series that season. Last year, she played for Sichuan, but had her season but short due to an ankle injury. Charles is scheduled to head to China later in October.

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